As the season is upon us I certainly think this topic would make for an ideal conversation opener especially when I next plan to sarge in London or nearby, but, I could do with some good ideas for openers to engage an HB in conversation be it in the shop, at the mall, on the tube, in the bar or wherever.

So, the "Christmas shopping opener". Ideas on how to user it? Should I make reference to getting gifts for my folks? Doess that make me sound like a weedy boy who still needs ma and pa to do things for him or do HBs find that adorably sweet?

If you are looking for an opinion opener i would use something like
"Hey, i'm a bit in a dilemma here, and you look like the kind of person who knows this kind of stuff... (smiling) do you think it's a bit lame giving a gift card to your brother for christmas?"

where you ask her opinion, it sounds really situational, and in my opinion the best openers are Situational-opinion openers.

then for transitioning into a conversation i would say
"one time a friend of mine, received the worst gift i can imagine... her boyfriend tatooed her name in his arm... bla bla bla....

"Excuse me.. where do you buy your clothes? I'm holidays shopping for my sister/friend/cousin and I love your style."

"Excuse me.. do you celebrate (insert holiday)?" -- You can start a conversation regardless of her response.

"Where can I get a Christmas tree around here?"

"I thought this store would be more crowded"

"Can't believe the year is almost over"

"I love this time of year"

"I'm trying to decide if I should do gifts with cards or just gifts"

"So have you picked a new years resolution yet?"

You can say almost ANYTHING!! Women are very friendly this time of year. I'd say between Halloween and V-day women are a little easier to pick-up.

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Women are smarter than you think... but not as smart as THEY think